"If he respects me 50 per cent of what I respect him then we can be friends in the future, because I have lots of respect for him," said Mourinho.

"But this is the reality, at Arsenal he was the champion. I came to the country in 2004 I wanted to steal his title, that’s football.

"But in the end I respect him a lot, I try to show that in the past couple of years there are no more problems.

Wenger takes his side to Old Trafford this weekend (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

"I am at a different stage of my career and have a different profile."

Mourinho, speaking to Sky Sports News, added: "So, I feel sorry that after Sir Alex, and Sir Alex it was his decision to leave, but after him the next one, the next big one, the next iconic one, is leaving the Premier League."